Wines of the Day: Two special picks for Valentine’s Day

Antolini Recioto della Valpolicella ClassicoVeneto, Italy$27.95, Vintages #135533
It’s Valentines Day, and all around the world, people are trying to match wine with chocolate. It’s usually a bad idea, although anything can work if you’re with the right person at the time. But if you’re determined to drink with chocolate, try a recioto – a sweet red wine from Italy. One I like is Antolini Recioto della Valpolicella Classico ($27.95 for a 500ml bottle). It has classic intensity and sweetness, it’s well balanced and structured, and it has the goods to go really well
with dark chocolate. Rod Phillips, WineAlign

Cuvée Catharine Brut RoséNiagara, Ontario$29.95, LCBO #217521
If you’re racing around trying to find a bottle of wine for today and you’re not afraid of clichés, pick up a bottle of sparkling rosé. With the bubbles and the colour, it speaks Valentines. There are plenty on the market, but going local is always a good idea, and one I often return to is Cuvée Catharine Brut Rosé, from Niagara’s Henry of Pelham winery. You’ll find it has vibrant fruit flavours and a bright texture, and goes well with a friend and with food. It’s $29.95 a bottle, but on sale in the LCBO for $26.95 during the next two weeks. Rod Phillips, WineAlign